Andrae Crouch (1942-2015) wrote many songs, and contributed a great deal to praise and worship music across America. But, when Andrae was a boy, his parents didn’t know if he would be able to do anything for the Lord. He was dyslexic… and he stuttered badly; his parents were certain he could never be a preacher. His father began praying Andrae would be able to play the piano. There were no musicians in the family, so Andrae was shocked by that prayer. Andrae later said it was as if his father asked, “Would you like to be an astronaut?”
But, Andrae’s parents bought him a cardboard keyboard to practice on, and – after only 3 weeks of practicing on that keyboard – his father called him forward in a church service. Pointing to the upright piano, he said, “If you’re gonna play, play.” And Andrae played the piano from that day until his death.
Many of the old spirituals emphasize Heaven and the second coming of Christ, and with this song, Andrae added another great song to that long heritage. This song combines anticipation, excitement, and joy. It’s impossible to sing this song and stay sad!
